Working with your doctor
Your doctor can be one of your greatest allies in dealing with your insurance company, so it is important that you feel comfortable when working with your physician. To learn more about being an empowered patient, read these tips.
1. Create a healthcare file with all of your health records in it. Create a file for each of your family members. Keep an emergency copy of your health records in a second location outside your home if possible.
2. Keep a health journal. Keeping a journal of your day to day perceptions of your condition can be valuable to both you and your doctor. If your psoriasis flares, record the extent of the flare (your hand = approximately 1 percent of your body) and any events leading up to the flare which may have triggered it (i.e. stress on the job). If you begin to recognize the triggers that aggravate your condition, you maybe able to avoid them in the future. If you start to notice pain in your joints, record the date, time and duration of the pain when you notice it (i.e. early in the morning, after yard work, etc.). Ten percent to 30 percent of individuals with psoriasis will also develop psoriatic arthritis. Keeping a record of the day-to-day progression of your condition provides your doctor with a better idea of what your condition is like than a 15-minute office visit can alone.
Your health journal is also a place to record the effectiveness of a treatment over time. Keep a record of each treatment you use, the dosing and its day to day effectiveness. Your treatment may become less effective over time, but this can be difficult to realize unless you have put the situation into perspective.
3. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Before you visit your doctor, put together a list of any questions you have regarding your condition, your medications and other health concerns. If you are worried about the side effects of a treatment, ask your doctor about it. Writing your questions down beforehand makes it easier to remember what you want to ask once you arrive at your doctor's office. It can also help you stay focused.
4. Bring a friend, a notebook or a tape recorder to your appointment to keep a record of what your doctor told you. It is easy to be overwhelmed when a doctor is sharing information with you about your condition or a treatment and its side effects. Bring a notebook with you to take notes or, if you have difficulty writing due to arthritis or another condition, consider bringing a friend with you to your appointment.
If you do not have someone who can attend your appointment with you, consider investing in an inexpensive tape recorder. If you call your doctor's office ahead of time to let them know you plan on recording your appointment, it is usually not a problem.
By keeping a record of your doctor's visit, you will have an easier time remembering medical jargon in the future, and you will have a better understanding of why your doctor is prescribing a certain treatment.
5. Bring a list of your current medications with you. When you visit the doctor, bring a list of your current medications with you, including any herbal supplements or vitamins.
6. Talk to your family. Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are genetic conditions. Talk to your family members to find out if any of them also have psoriasis. Learning about your extended family's health issues can also be helpful in determining what conditions you are most at risk for developing and alert your doctor to potential health problems.
7. Be as educated about your condition as possible. You will get the most out of your doctor's appointment if you have taken the time to learn more about your condition. Explore www.psoriasis.org to learn more about psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis along with the different types of treatment available.
Your doctor will appreciate the fact that you have made an effort to learn about your disease. If you are familiar with the basic facts and treatments available for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, it will enable you to communicate more effectively with your doctor, make the best of your visits and better understand your doctor's recommendations for treatment.
8. If you are not satisfied with your current physician, don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion. Often, it is best to trust your own gut instinct. If your doctor insists upon a treatment you are not comfortable with, consider getting a second opinion.
9. Ask your doctor to help with your insurance company. Your doctor and his/her staff are best suited to discuss your condition, your medical history and your treatment plan because they have worked with you along the way. If your claim for a treatment has been denied, ask your doctor to help you appeal.
Click here for more information on how medical providers can help with insurance advocacy.
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